Chapter 23 Skye
SKYE
I could feel the tension was thick in the air, heavy enough to sit on my chest.
Even though Ocean hadn’t let go of my hand since we’d gotten in the car, I knew he was in a mood, and it was all because of what I told him last night.
When I suggested we play a game to help us get to know more about each other, I never intended to tell him about that part of my past. That was something I hadn’t told anyone. Not even my mother knew.
But the moment it slipped from my lips, I wished I could take it back.
Not because I didn’t trust him.
Because I already knew what his reaction would be.
As soon as I said it, he wanted details. Where? When? Who?
I told him when.
I told him where.
But I refused to tell him who.
I couldn’t.
I had no idea who it was.
But I also knew what Ocean was capable of.
It didn’t matter how much time had passed. In his mind, somebody’s funeral plans were already being prepared.
“You were up pretty early this morning,” I said, squeezing his hand.
His eyes stayed locked on the road, and he didn’t squeeze back.
“I went for a run.”
“Oh yeah? How was it?”
“It was cool.”
“Just cool?”
“Yep.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, my chest tightening as irritation bubbled up.
I couldn’t take it.
The energy I’d grown used to between us was gone, replaced with this cold, tense silence, and it was pissing me off.
“Ocean, why are you acting like this? If this is about last night—”
“It’s definitely about last night.”
“Okay, well giving me the cold shoulder isn’t making anything better.”
“No,” he said flatly. “But you know what would?”
“What?”
“If you tell me who the fuck violated you.”
“I can’t.”
His jaw tightened. “Why the fuck not?”
“Because I don’t know who it was,” I snapped back. “And like I told you last night, I’ve put that behind me. I don’t even know why I said it.”
“You said it because you still feel some type of way about it,” he shot back. “You said it because you knew I’d handle it.”
“No,” I blurted. “That’s not why I said it at all. I just…”
My voice softened.
“I guess I felt safe enough to tell you.”
I watched his shoulders tense, a vein jumping along his neck.
Every inch of him looked ready to explode out of his skin.
“Ocean,” I whispered, sliding my hand over his shoulder.
“I’m telling you the truth when I say I don’t know who it was.
That night was a blur. I was young and dumb.
One minute I was downstairs dancing at a party, and the next…
” My throat tightened. “I was in a room with a man on top of me. I couldn’t make out his face.
Between my blurred vision and the room being so dark. ..I just couldn’t.”
His hands clenched around the steering wheel. “Whose party was it?”
I swallowed hard, debating how much more I should say.
“Skye!”
“I...I don’t know,” I stuttered. “It was years ago. Just let it go.”
“Hell no!” he snapped. “I don’t give a fuck if it was when you were in middle school. If a nigga hurt you and I find out about it, it’s a wrap.”
Something warm spread through my chest despite the tension.
As much as I hated seeing him so worked up, I loved how hard he rode for me.
“I know, baby.” I rubbed the back of his head gently. “What I told you is all I know.”
“And you’re sure you don’t remember who it was?”
“I’m sure,” I said firmly. He exhaled slowly, and I eagerly tried to change the subject. “So, where are we headed?”
He took a few more slow breaths, his hands loosening from the steering wheel.
After what felt like a lifetime, he finally said, “To the club. I want to show you the changes.”
“Sounds good.” I dug in my purse and grabbed a piece of gum. “It doesn’t bother you being there after everything that happened? I know you weren’t there when the shooting went down, but you saw the aftermath.”
“I’ve seen worse.”
My eyes widened. “You’ve seen worse? Where?”
A smirk tugged at his mouth. “Don’t worry about all that.”
“Damn, Ocean. Exactly how many people have you killed?”
“Don’t worry about that either,” he said casually. “Just know I’ve seen worse.”
I shook my head.
It was crazy knowing I was tied to a man who didn’t look like he could kill with so much ease.
If you caught him in a bad situation? Yeah, you’d believe it.
But on a regular day? He just looked like a fine-ass man who owned a club.
Not a drug dealer.
Not a mob boss.
Just somebody you’d never suspect.
Which was probably the point.
“So…question.”
“Yeah?” He turned down a crowded street.
“Is your little girlfriend going to be there?”
He frowned, glancing at me. “My girlfriend? What the fuck you talking about?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” I said. “The employee you claim you’re not fucking anymore.”
“First off,” he said sharply, “don’t ever give another woman that title. Second, there’s no claim to it. I’m not fucking her anymore.”
“Mmhmm.” I folded my arms over my chest. “But you still didn’t answer my question. If she’s going to be there, I need to know. Because I fight bitches. One wrong look and you’re going to be hiring a new whatever she is.”
He laughed.
“You’re laughing, but I’m dead serious,” I said. “I don’t care if we aren’t official yet. We’re official enough. Don’t no bitch need to—”
“Relax,” he cut in. “She’s off today. Had some stuff to do with her kids.”
“Oh, she got kids?”
“Yep. And a husband.”
My head snapped back. “Wait. Are you telling me you’re a homewrecker?”
“Trust me,” he said calmly, “that shit was wrecked long before I showed up.”
“Ocean…”
“What? It ain’t my job to be loyal to another man.”
“But marriage is sacred,” I argued. “They took vows before God.”
“And what that got to do with me?” He shrugged. “I didn’t.”
I tilted my head, something in my gut telling me there was more.
“So what if he found out you were sleeping with his wife?” I asked.
A slow smile spread across his face. “Then I’d handle it.”
“But you’d be in the wrong. You were fucking his wife.”
“Was,” he corrected smoothly. “I was fucking his wife. Now I’m fucking you.”
My mouth dropped open.
“Wow, Ocean. I never pictured you messing with a married woman,” I said. “What if the shoe was on the other foot?”
“What do you mean?”
“What if we were married and that man was—”
“Don’t finish that,” he snapped.
“Why not?”
“Because you’re putting a death sentence on somebody’s head.”
“So you’d kill the man I cheated with?”
“Skye, why you playing with me like this? You planning on cheating?”
“No.”
“Then dead it!”
I jumped.
“Fine. I’m done.”
“Thank you.”
“But for the record, you were wrong as hell.”
“Noted.”
He pulled into the club’s parking lot and shifted into park. “You hungry? I added some new wings to the menu. I want you to try them.”
I laughed at how fast the mood flipped. “Yeah, I can go for some wings.”
He stepped out, walked around the car, and opened my door, his eyes flicking over me like he was taking it all in. I had on a cropped sweater, paired with high-waisted jeans and ankle boots. My hair was pulled back into a sleek half-up style, the rest falling down my back.
“You look fine as fuck today, by the way.”
“Thank you.”
“Before we eat, you gotta come to my office.”
“Why?” I asked, confused.
“Because I’m getting in that.” His eyes lowered to my waist.
“Ocean!”
“Don’t Ocean me. You’re looking too damn good. I can’t leave here without feeling you.”
I rolled my eyes, laughing. “Boy, I’m not screwing you in your office, especially since I know that’s where you fucked all them other hoes. Give me the tour, let’s eat, then we can go home.”
He sighed dramatically. “Fine. Let’s make it quick.”